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But, despite that incentive, Guardiola says he will utilise his full squad for the Premier League showdown with the Reds to save his strongest teams for the games against Liverpool on Wednesday and next Tuesday.

He said: “Of course I want to win against United at home but we have three days before we have Liverpool, afterwards we have three days before United and after we have three days before the second leg, so few recovery days.

“You have to use all the squad but that doesn’t mean the guys who play are not going to prepare to win.

Manchester United's Ander Herrera is confronted by City players and shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford

“If we are in the position we are now in the Premier League it is because everyone has made his own contribution.

“That is going to happen. But I am sorry, as a manager, now Liverpool will occupy all my head.”

Guardiola has almost his full squad to select from with his only doubts Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph, who sat out the trip to Everton, and Benjamin Mendy, who is yet to play following his return to training last month.

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That means players like Danilo, John Stones, and Ilkay Gundogan - and anyone who does not figure at Anfield on Wednesday night - will step up to face United report the MEN.

Guardiola followed his words with a direct explanation to the fans via Twitter, saying: “We are going to adapt the Premier League game against United with respect to the Liverpool games in the Champions League. The line-up will be thinking about Liverpool.

“For the supporters I can understand. I’m a Barcelona supporter and we were able to win the league at home to Real Madrid and that is so special.”